Despite not being as prominent an issue for the South Korea public as it has been in the past, North Korea will continue to be a driving force in newly elected President Lee Jae-myung’s overall security policy. Along with revitalizing the economy, bolstering democratic institutions, and navigating a tricky U.S.-South Korea alliance relationship, Lee will have to be judiciously bold and aggressive on North Korea policy to guarantee that South Korea shapes its own security rather than remains a passive bystander.